Even thinking about that telltale cracking sound of a smartphone screen after it slips from your grasp is enough to send shiver’s down anyone’s spine. iPhones are not known for their ruggedness — which you’ll know if you’ve dropped one — and the iPhone XR is no different from its predecessors in that regard. Dropping your iPhone can be an expensive mistake, shattering glass corners and breaking screens. It’s not just drops you need to be wary of, either, as scratches, dirt, and smudges can mar the beauty of your expensive iPhone. Finding a case that stands up to everyday life and fits your phone is a must, but it can also be a hassle. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the most rugged and stylish cases for your iPhone XR.
Speck Presidio2 Pro Case
Want to cover pretty much all of your bases? Look no further than Speck’s Presidio2 Pro case. It uses Speck’s own Armor Cloud Technology to cushion your phone from impacts and provide drop protection of up to 13 feet. Its soft-touch materials are resistant to scratches, and will also provide you with more than enough grip to avoid dropping the iPhone XR accidentally. Speck has also added raised bezels for extra screen protection, a Microban coating that reduces bacteria growth by up to 99%, and precisely cut buttons and portholes. Its slim design is also highly practical, and fully compatible with wireless charging.
UAG Lucent Series Case
Urban Armor Gear (UAG) is a pretty big name in protection, offering cases that meet military drop standards (MIL-STD 810G 516.6) for protection against drops, scratches, and other hazards. But it’s the design that really helps UAG stand out from the crowd. The Lucent’s sleek design is one of UAG’s more subtle entries, but it’s no less eye-catching. It’s made from a mix of polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane, offering noticeably more protection than you’d normally get from a case of its sleekness and practicality. It also protects the screen with raised edges and your device’s buttons with oversized button covers.
Olixar Leather-Style iPhone XR Wallet Stand Case
If you’re tired of carrying around an iPhone AND a wallet (goodness knows we are), here’s the answer to all your problems. This case from Olixar combines a hard PC inner shell with a faux-leather lining, with the two layers offering protection that’s up there with the best on the market, not least because of the added front covering. Of course, being a wallet case, it provides a couple of slots for cards, as well as a larger slip for banknotes. It also doubles as a convenient stand for your iPhone XR, so you can chat with family or watch media while eating a huge bag of chips at the same time. As an added bonus, the case is compatible with wireless charging, and comes with all the necessary cutouts.
Ghostek Ariel Flowing Glitter Case
Phone cases are meant to protect your phone, but that doesn’t mean they have to look bad while doing it. Ghostek’s Ariel case is something quite unique from the company, and combines Ghostek’s celebrated protection with some stunning good looks. The case features a glossy design based around mermaid scales, and it glitters and sparkles thanks to a flowing liquid glitter that reacts to your movements. It’s certainly eye-catching, but it’s protective too. The Ariel case boasts enhanced shock protection along with a scratch-resistant back, and a raised bezel to protect the screen and camera lenses. The asking price of $30 isn’t bad either.
Spigen Tough Armor XP
Spigen excels at providing strong protection that doesn’t draw attention to your phone, and the Tough Armor XP fits that brief perfectly. It’s made from a dual-layer construction of TPU and polycarbonate that protects it against a variety of threats, while an all-new foam technology has also added even more shock-protection to an already solid case. Air cushions on each corner keep it safe against drop impacts, and there’s even a kickstand around the back to assist with watching videos or taking video calls. Being one of Spigen’s most rugged cases it definitely adds a little extra thickness, but if you want something hardy, this is a great choice.
Tech21 Pure Print Liberty Christelle
Many cases can be a little bare where design is concerned — not so with the Pure Print Liberty Christelle case from Tech21. It’s made from Tech21’s Bulletshield material, which absorbs energy from drops, bumps, and shocks. It’s so good that Tech21 claims it’s damage-proof against drops from up to 3 meters high (10 feet). Despite this protection, it’s also extremely thin and barely adds any bulk to your phone. But it’s the vibrant print that really catches your eye. It’s a beautiful case, but keep in mind that you’ll have to pay top dollar for it. There are other designs available too if this one doesn’t suit your taste.
Vaja Grip Leather Case
The iPhone XR is made from a range of premium materials, but one it’s missing is leather — remedy that with the Vaja Grip case. As is Vaja’s specialization, the Grip case is made from the very best Argentine leather, whether that’s the vegetable tanned bridge leather or all-weather Floater leather. No matter which you pick, each leather finish looks incredible and will last too. As it’s leather, the case will age gracefully, adding its own unique patina to your case. There’s a polycarbonate shell underneath the leather, adding extra protection for your phone. As the iPhone XR’s price has fallen, so has the price of Vaja’s cases, but it’s still a pricey case. Still, there are few cases more luxurious and gorgeous than this.
Apple Clear Case
If you purchased the iPhone XR, there’s a good chance you’d like to show off its unique color. While Apple does not typically make clear cases, it made an exception for its multicolored flagship. Nearly invisible when applied to your phone, the iPhone XR Clear Case is made from thick polycarbonate with flexible TPU materials. It slides on easily but will provide you with protection from scratches and drops. Though it’s durable enough to protect your new iPhone, it’s not bulky enough to block the wireless charging coil, and being completely clear, there’s no change in style either. A great choice to show off your phone, while also keeping it safe.
Otterbox Commuter Series
Protection is exceptionally important, but it doesn’t mean much if you can’t fit your phone in your pocket when you need to. Otterbox‘s Commuter Series is crafted to sidestep that problem. Made from a dual-layer system of shock-absorbing TPU and hard polycarbonate (PC), the Commuter is all the protection you’d expect from Otterbox, with a slim profile that’s easy to slip in and out of a pocket. It’s exceptionally protective, thanks to the two durable materials, but Otterbox takes it a step further with port covers that keep out dust, and the addition of non-slip grippy sides that help you to keep hold of your phone. Like most Otterbox cases it’s not cheap — but it’s some of the best protection you can buy.
Mous Limitless 2.0
Being slim and stylish, you might expect that Mous‘s Limitless 2.0 case isn’t as defensive as larger, bulkier cases can be. But Mous has leveraged some pretty awesome technology to craft the protective and good looking Limitless 2.0. and claims that the case will provide solid drop protection. It’s made from a material called Aeroshock; Mous’s cases are injected with micro-crystals that expand into micro-pockets of air when subjected to high temperatures. These pockets of air form thousands of tiny airbags within the case, minimizing the shock caused by impacts by dissipating energy within the case. The back panels are made from real materials, including bamboo, carbon fiber, and real shell. It might seem like it’s on the expensive side, but the Limitless 2.0 case is worth the outlay.
Lifeproof Fre
The iPhone XR has an impressive IP67-rating for dust and water resistance, but you still don’t really want your phone to get wet. So if you know your phone is going to come in regular contact with water, consider investing in a completely waterproof Lifeproof case. The Fre’s résumé is certainly impressive — Lifeproof claims it’s protective against drops from up to 2 meters; completely sealed against water, dust, snow and more (even the ports and speakers are fully sealed); and offers 360-degree protection with a built-in screen protector. It’ll protect your phone against immersion in up to two meters of water for up to an hour. It’s not the cheapest case around, but it’s less expensive than a new phone.
Snakehive Leather Wallet
For a streamlined executive look, consider this Snakehive wallet case. It’s made of European full-grain cowhide nubuck leather that looks and feels luxurious. At the core of the case is a plastic shell to keep your phone secure, and that core is lined with soft leather to protect your screen. When you’re not using your phone, the case wraps around it for full protection. There are partitions to carry credit cards and cash and keep them away from your phone, so you can ditch your wallet and carry everything you need in this single case. Since the case is real leather, its appearance might be different than this picture. No two cases are identical, and, just like a fine wine, your case will gain character over time.
Case-Mate Karat Mother of Pearl
If you’re after a fun, bling-centric aesthetic, take a look at the Case-Mate Karat series. This case is full of personality, featuring sleek pearl details and a clear, shiny resin coat. But it’s more than just a pretty face — it is super functional and protective. The case has flexible edges that secure your phone, but Case-Mate Karat offers 10-foot drop protection for full peace of mind. It also features an anti-scratch finish and clever metallic buttons, plus a lifetime warranty. While this case is more expensive than many on this list, it’s so eye-catching and unique that it’s worth the price.
